All posts by Chelle

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits in Sweets & Moonchild (Review & Swatches)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits in Moonchild and Sweets

This whole whacky coloured highlighter craze is hitting and I am definitely falling rapidly in love with it! For SO LONG we’ve had very general highlighter colours – your basic champagne, pink-white, gold and… that’s about it. There’s not a whole lot of variety amidst that so it’s really, REALLY nice to see something completely unique in that area of makeup.

And Anastasia Beverly Hills delivers when it comes to offbase coloured highlighters. I recently picked up both their Sweets and Moonchild Glow Kits (exclusive to anastasiabeverlyhills.com, sadly) and I’m stupidly excited about these!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets

The Sweets Glow Kit ($40 USD) features four metallic powder highlighters for intense luminosity. What drew me in to this one were not only the shades (a purple highlighter??) but also the names. That Marshmallow one suckered me right in (any Veronica Mars fans out there?)!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets

At first I wasn’t sure how the darker colours were going to play out on my skin, but I was more that willing to give them a shot!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets - swatches
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets – swatches

In swatches, you can see the Butterscotch shade loses a big of its deepness (fine by me), although Taffy looks pretty darn pigmented (more like a blush really). Butterscotch seems to be the only shade with glitter particles actually suspended within the formula. This is worth noting because the other three shades don’t have these glitter particles and I did find that the flecks of glitter ended up in weird spots on my face (I was sporting a glitter moustache for a while).

But really, arm swatches will only show you so much… here’s what they look like on my face. All swatches are on only foundation – I’m not wearing blush or bronzer – and I’ve applied the highlighter as if it was my blush and highlighter in one, and quite heavily at that. I really wanted you to be able to see the colour difference in each shade.

Wearing Marshmallow
Wearing Marshmallow

Marshmallow is a gorgeous white with gold reflect to it. The duochrome of this shade is so, so freaking gorgeous! You can see me apply it to my face in my recent video tutorial.

Wearing Sassy Grape
Wearing Sassy Grape

Sassy Grape is, aptly, a frosty grape. I was stunned with just how much I love this shade as a highlighter and I’ve been wearing it a lot lately. I tend to pair it with a purple blush (Urban Decay Bittersweet, to be specific) and I’m always in awe of just how gorgeous it looks.

Wearing Butterscotch
Wearing Butterscotch

Butterscrotch comes out a bit paler on my skin than I was expecting from the pan – but I’m okay with it because it still makes it wearable on my skin tone. There are flecks of glitter in it which I wasn’t expecting, so just be aware of that when you’re using this shade.

Wearing Taffy
Wearing Taffy

Taffy is definitely the shade I’ve worn the least because it has a lot of pigment to it. I wear this more as my blush and highlighter in one.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild

So after I bought the Sweets Glow Kit… I was kind of sitting there going “I need the other one too”… because you know what… when a product is that awesome, I basically want all of the shades I can get my hand on! So I bought the Moonchild ($40 USD) palette as well!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild

This kit has six shades instead of the usual four, and they’re slightly smaller pans.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild - swatches
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Moonchild – swatches

While I appreciate the green and pink highlighter so much in this kit, I do find it veers very, very blue and silver. I wasn’t able to capture Lucky Clover very well with my camera, but rest assured it’s a very lovely green highlighter (something I never, ever thought I would say!).

Wearing Blue Ice
Wearing Blue Ice

Out of the two blue shades, Blue Ice is definitely my favourite. On me, it leaned slightly purple as well.

Wearing Star
Wearing Star

Star was really weird looking when I first put it on, and I’m struggling to think what kind of blush I would pair with it, BUT on its own, once I got used to that silver sheen, it really started to grow on me.

Wearing Purple Horseshoe
Wearing Purple Horseshoe

Sadly, Purple Horsehoe wasn’t as purple as I thought it was going to be (especially given the colour in the pan), so I don’t find it that different from Sassy Grape.

Wearing Pink Heart
Wearing Pink Heart

Pink Heart is STUNNING! It’s a luminous pink highlighter with a hint of a neutral-green base in the pigment (sounds weird, but if you know the MAC eyeshadow Vex, you’ll get the idea).

Wearing Lucky Clover
Wearing Lucky Clover

Lucky Clover is making my heart sing because I have an affinity for green and clovers, so I’m allll about this shade. I’m disappointed with my photography on this shade, I don’t think it comes across as it did in person, which is slightly more green, although not at all unwearable.

Wearing Blue Moon
Wearing Blue Moon

Blue Moon is a blue-silver shade that’s basically a cross between Blue Ice and Star. It’s okay, but again… there’s a lot of blue in this palette.

Overall Thoughts

Do I even need to say it? I love these Glow Kits so, SO much. The colour are unique and fun to use. They’re vibrant enough that the underlying coloured pigment comes through, but not so over the top that it looks like a big ole streak of eyeshadow used as a highlighter instead.

I find that Moonchild has a lot of similar shades, but the pink and green make up for that for me. I’m so happy that I’m seeing something completely new in the highlighter world – it’s a breath of fresh air, you know? And while the colours may seen a bit out there for some people, because they’re so luminous, you could get away with applying these lightly so that only a hint of colour shows. Of course, if you’re like me and you want others to appreciate your purple highlighter from afar – slather it on and let your highlight gleam!

Giveaway Time!

Now here’s the best part! Anastasia Beverly Hills accidentally sent me TWO packages of the Glow Kit in Sweets, and since they were carted back from the States the lovely Shawna, I sure as heck wasn’t going to send one back to them on my own dime! So I’m hosting a giveaway!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets - giveaway!!!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets – giveaway!!!

One winner will receive:

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets

Giveaway Rules

  • This giveaway is open internationally!
  • This giveaway starts on September 19, 2016 and runs for two weeks.
  • Please be aware that all entries will be double checked to ensure fairness.
  • One winner will win the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sweets pictured and described above
  • The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail. If they fail to respond within that time frame, I will pick another prize winner. (And so on.)
  • “Giveaway accounts” will not be considered for this prize. (If you want to know what I mean by that, please click here.)

Good luck!

Swatch Sunday: Too Faced Grande Hotel Cafe

Too Faced Grande Hotel Cafe

You guyssssss… Holiday makeup season is upon us and I am NOT complaining! Last year I missed out on purchasing the Too Faced Holiday collections because I felt they were too similar to previous years… and I’ve regretted it ever since.

So this year, I’m doing my best to snag whatever I can from the collection. I received this one from PR, but you can bet your butt I’m going out and getting the other sets shortly! Yes, I’m that much of a Too Faced addict now – I MUST HAVE EVERYTHING!

This year’s collection focuses on Christmas in New York (last year was Christmas in Paris) and the item I’m swatching is the Grande Hotel Cafe set. This set retails for $49 USD/$62 CAD on Sephora’s site.

Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe
Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe

The top lifts off to reveal three palettes and a mini Better Than Sex mascara.

Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe
Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe

The doors swing out and you have easy access to the palettes inside, as well as the beautiful interior design of the set.

Kolme helping me out with my photos!
Kolme helping me out with my photos!
Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe - comes with three different palettes and a mini Better Than Sex mascara!
Too Faced Holiday 2016 Grande Hotel Cafe – comes with three different palettes and a mini Better Than Sex mascara!

The three palettes are what I’ll be swatching today. As I only just received this palette, I haven’t been able to do looks yet, but those will be coming this week to my YouTube channel here’s the direct link!. Each palette is intended to smell like a different holiday drink… however I’d say that it smells more “sweetly” than anything else. They do all smell different, but nothing like their intended scent.

Too Faced Peppermint Mocha Swatches

Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Peppermint Mocha palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Peppermint Mocha palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Peppermint Mocha palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Peppermint Mocha palette
Too Faced - Peppermint Cream
Too Faced – Peppermint Cream
Too Faced - Christmas Blend
Too Faced – Christmas Blend
Too Faced - Peppermint Mocha
Too Faced – Peppermint Mocha
Too Faced - Candy Cane
Too Faced – Candy Cane
Too Faced - Coffee Chip
Too Faced – Coffee Chip
Too Faced - Santa Baby
Too Faced – Santa Baby

Too Faced Eggnog Latte Swatches

Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Eggnog Latte palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Eggnog Latte palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Eggnog Latte palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Eggnog Latte palette
Too Faced - Frosty Nog
Too Faced – Frosty Nog
Too Faced - Eggnog Latte
Too Faced – Eggnog Latte
Too Faced - Iced Coffee
Too Faced – Iced Coffee
Too Faced - Skinny Latte
Too Faced – Skinny Latte
Too Faced - Cold Brew
Too Faced – Cold Brew
Too Faced - Central Perk
Too Faced – Central Perk
Too Faced - Peach Cobbler
Too Faced – Peach Cobbler

Too Faced Gingerbread Cookie Swatches

Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Gingerbread Cookie palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Gingerbread Cookie palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Grand Hotel Cafe - Gingerbread Cookie palette
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Grand Hotel Cafe – Gingerbread Cookie palette
Too Faced - Ginger Cream
Too Faced – Ginger Cream
Too Faced - Maple Syrup
Too Faced – Maple Syrup
Too Faced - Gingersnap
Too Faced – Gingersnap
Too Faced - Winter Dream
Too Faced – Winter Dream
Too Faced - Cup of Joe
Too Faced – Cup of Joe
Too Faced - Black Coffee
Too Faced – Black Coffee
Too Faced - Gingerbread
Too Faced – Gingerbread

Want to see all three palettes in action? Check out my video that showcases three different looks using this set!

So, are you interested in this set? I’m kind of over the moon about it. You can pick up the Too Faced Grande Hotel Cafe for $49 USD/$62 CAD on Sephora’s site.

The product featured in this post was sent to me for review.

Skincare Saturday: Zoella Soak Opera & Fizz Bar

Zoella Beauty Soak Opera and Fizz Bar

Although I’ve never been a regular viewer of Zoella (I really don’t think I’m her target audience since I’m over the age of 30), it’s incredible to look at the stats that this woman possesses:

  • 14 million YouTube subscribers with 49 million views per month.
  • All of her social media following is well into the millions with Facebook being the lowest at 2.6 million likes and Instagram being the highest with 7.2 million followers.

So needless to say, it’s not surprising that she would come out with her own range of bodycare. When I look at the line of products and the way they’re packaged, it has a very young girl appeal with a hint of grandma elegance. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but that’s the best way I can think to describe these items!

Zoella Beauty Soak Opera
Zoella Beauty Soak Opera – $11.99 CAD

Zoella‘s Soak Opera (*love* the name) is a bath soak and shower cream filled with vitamin E, shea butter and aloe extracts to soften and condition your skin. I used this as body wash and found that it lathered up well and did the whole “make me clean” thing just fine. As a bubble bath, it gave me a few bubbles, but not as much as I would want (which is like… a LOT.). What intrigued me the most about this, aside from the clever name, is the fact that the product is scented completely unlike what I had expected. Based on her audience, I was really expecting this product to be sugary sweet, almost like some kind of confection. Instead, it’s a more adult (verging on grandmotherly, seriously) flowery fragrance that I was really not keen on at first sniff. But then I kept smelling it, and using it, and I found my nose was actually quite into the scent, even though it was something I’ve never gravitated towards before. Perhaps it’s because amidst the intense floral potpourri scent, there’s also an edge of freshness that keeps my nose rejuvenated.

I also think the price point is incredibly fair. At a suggested retail price of $12 CAD for 490 ml, you’re getting almost double what a place like The Body Shop would give you for almost an identical price tag.

Zoella Beauty Fizz Bar
Zoella Beauty Fizz Bar

You’ll find a slightly stronger potpourri scent in Zoella‘s Fizz Bar. This block of bath fizzers can be broken down into eight individual cubes, or use however many you’d like to toss into your bath. I opted to throw in two cubes per bath because I was really liking the scent of her products by the time I got around to testing this Fizz Bar!

Zoella Beauty Fizz Bar
Zoella Beauty Fizz Bar

The Fizz Bar didn’t go up in smoke as soon as I dumped it into my bath – it was more of a slow release product. I didn’t find it did anything especially amazing to my bath – more of a scented bath really for when you want to spend a bit more time lounging and watching YouTube. The price tag for this one is around $10, which, I’ll repeat, keeps her beauty line in a really reasonable price range.

Zoella Beauty products are sold in select stores in Canada including Londong Drugs, Pharmasave, Lawtons, Familiprix, IDA, Guardian, Brunet and Uniprix. To see a full listing of product available in Canada, please check out FarleyCo’s web site.

 The products featured in this post were sent to me for review.

Upcoming Holiday Sets: What I’m Lusting Over, Waiting For & Totally Passing On

It’s that time of the year when allll of the holiday sets start being previewed and/or even released! Is anyone else stupid excited for the launches? CUZ I SURE AM! I’ve started amassing a list of items I’m after and a few I’m not going to bother with as of right now. I’m sure there’s a heck of a lot more releases on the horizon, but for now, these are the ones I’ve focused in on.

Lusting Over (aka if I can get my hands on it… I’m buying it)

Too Faced Holiday 2016 - Melted Matte in Candy Cane, Merry Macarons set and Grande Hotel Cafe set
Too Faced Holiday 2016 – Melted Matte in Candy Cane, Merry Macarons set and Grande Hotel Cafe set

I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who reads this blog, watches my videos, or even talks to me, but I’m allll about that Too Faced life. Last year I passed on the holiday sets because I felt they were too similar to the previous holidays… and I’ve regretted it ever since. This year I’m going to do my darnedest to pick up:

  • Too Faced Melted Matte in Candy Cane (21 USD/$25 CAD): Holy crap do I ever want this one so freaking badly. And it smells like peppermint too! It seems to be a TooFaced.com exclusive item  (nope! It’s at sephora.com now!) and they won’t accept my Canadian credit card to get it shipped within the US and if I get it shipped to Canada, the total cost for this one lipstick (with shipping and duties) is just shy of $50! UGHHHH! But I swear to you… I will find a way to get this in my hot little hands! I hope… :s
  • Too Faced Grande Hotel Cafe set ($49 USD/$62 CAD): Ohhhhh YES! There are three palettes inside and each one of them smells like a different Starbucks drink (peppermint mocha, gingerbread coffee and eggnog latte!). I’ve found myself appreciating the smell of a good Too Faced palette when I’m putting my makeup on so I’m super excited that these all smell differently!
  • Too Faced Merry Macarons set ($39 USD): This is an Ulta exclusive, so it’ll be a bit more of a challenge to get my hands on it but I’ll manage somehow! This one smells like an eggnog latte! Ahhhh, can you tell I’m getting sucked in by all these different scents? Merchandising gimmicks are totally pulling me in!

  • MAC Duochrome Highlighters?? I have no idea what these are or when they’re being released but I think I’ll be snatching up all three of them!

Waiting For (aka waiting on that Sephora VIB sale…)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKQyL68BYUw/?taken-by=tartecosmetics&hl=en

  • Tarte Amazonian Clay Color Wheel ($44 USD): Okay umm… yeah. If this lasts until the Sephora VIB sale, I kind of figure I’ll pick it up. The price tag is absolutely unbelievable for 10 blushes! I’ve never ever been disappointed in a Tarte blush, so I always want to add more to my collection! The only thing I’m not completely in love with this is the enormous round packaging. How in the hell am I supposed to stack this with my other palettes???

Totally Passing On (aka the Anti-Haul)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ0dEXRBtDd/?taken-by=hourglasscosmetics

  • The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Ambient Lighting Edit ($80 USD/$95 CAD): Don’t get me wrong, this thing is all kinds of gorgeousness. And there is some piece of me that really wants it, but I don’t want to fork over the $95 (even if I was getting a discounted percentage off), particularly on an item that has a large amount of face powder in it. Although I love the Ambient Lighting Blushes, the powders are just not for me so I’d feel like this was a bit of a waste of a palette on me (she says while eyeballing her 50+ eyeshadow palettes on the bookshelf beside her…). However, Making Up Ashlee just did an awesome video review of this palette, and I highly recommend you check it out in case you’re interested!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKR-MAVhk5I/?taken-by=katvondbeauty

  • Kat Von D Metal Matte palette: There’s no denying the shades in this are gorgeous – they seem to swatch beautifully too. But… I’m not sold. It’s a lot of gem tones in colours I already have a lot of. After the beauty that was last years palette, I kind of figure nothing is ever going to compare!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKOIBs5DfSi/?taken-by=beccacosmetics

  • BECCA Blushed Holiday Palette: I would 100% have bought this if I didn’t already own Snapdragon! Ahhhh! WAIT. I also own Songbird in there. Okay never mind, this is a total pass since I already own two of the shades. The third shade is Wisteria (limited edition) and this is definitely a good value for your money… but certainly not for me since I already own two shades!

  • Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics ($68 CAD/$54 USD): Like seriously UD? You took HOW MANY YEARS to put out an all matte neutral palette and then you go and fuck it up by putting it in SQUARE PACKAGING? Do you hate us?? This should’ve been released not long after Naked 2 (so you know… every other brand didn’t beat you to your own punchline) AND you should’ve kept it in the rectangular packaging so that it fits with all the other Naked palettes! *shaking my head*

So that’s my round up. I’m sure there’ll be more in there as time passes. For instance, I haven’t even heard a peep up for Urban Decay’s Vice 5 palette so I’m curious to see how that’ll turn out!

Let me know what you’re looking at getting, waiting on a sale, or even outright avoiding in the months leading up to the holidays!